DAPING 193 



be used in daping, as the stone fly, the alder fly, the blue- 

 bottle, the daddy longlegs, the coch-y-bondu, the cinnamon, 

 etc., in fact, almost any fly that is large enough to be stuck 

 upon a hook will answer the purpose. For the smaller flies it 

 is customary to use a smaller hook, and to put two flies upon 

 it ; but with such flies it is more customary to use a longish 

 rod, and to dib in over bushes or from behind some sheltering 

 tree, or any other cover where the angler can conceal himself. 

 Here, haply, where overhanging branches cast a shadow on the 

 water in the hottest weather, the big fellows lie close in to the 

 bank under which 



.... beneath the tangled roots 



Of pendent trees, the monarch of the brook 



has his abiding-place : you see him, as it were, standing at his 

 front door in the receipt of custom, and rising gently at every 

 fly, grub, or insect-security that may pass him. It is your 

 business, oh angler ! to take in this greedy discounter of insect 

 acceptances. 



Behoves you then to ply your finest art. 



Prospect the place, look for an open space through the boughs 

 and foliage, just over some good fish. You must approach 

 the spot with great caution, poking your rod with the line 

 wound round it before you ; now you are opposite to the spot, 

 and concealed from the fish by an intervening bush. Upon a 

 No. 8 hook of fine wire stick your two flies ; if you have not 

 flies, why a couple of gentles, a grasshopper, a humblebee, or a 

 beetle, perhaps, or any other insect will haply serve you. A 

 couple of yards will be as much line as you require ; wind it 

 loosely round your rod-point, the baited hook hanging down 

 close to the rod ; now, cautiously and gradually, and with as 

 little motion or disturbance as possible, poke the point of the 

 rod through the hole in the foliage, and begin turning the rod 

 round to let the line unwind ; presently it is all out, and the 

 bait hangs free outside of the bushes ; being sure that you are 

 over the right spot, gently drop the bait on the surface ; there is 

 a slight dimple in the water below, a sound in the dead stillness, 

 as if a drop of water had fallen into a well, followed by a con- 

 siderable splashing and a rush under the bank if you do not 

 prevent it, and you must play and get your fish out in the best 

 way you can. If he is a very good one, your chance to lose him 

 is considerable. Daping is in some places called " shade- 

 fishing." It is as great a stretch of a permission for a day's 



